If you've been hearing anything about the new Star Wars films lately, you've been hearing about the idea of some standalone films. While this may stir up some controversy among the fans I think this is the golden opportunity to get some things on the silver screen that we've all been waiting for. Here are six ideas of what I think could be a great Star Wars standalone series, with a title, year of premiere, chronology in the films, tagline, and brief concept.
1) Yoda Chronicles (2016)
(79 BBY) "Size Matters Not."
This first one, as other articles have suggested, would focus on Yoda a couple of decades before the events of Episode One. This story would feature him going on a mission to Corriban with two other Jedi, a young knight named Dooku and his apprentice, Qui-Gon. The mission takes them to the ruins of the Sith academy and eventually leads them to a face-off with none other than Darth Plagueis. The film would end on a note which would suggest the general idea of the next film…
2) Sidious: Rise to Evil (2018)
(65-32 BBY) "Experience the Power."
Our next film would pick up a few years after the events of Yoda’s film and take a different approach. This film would focus on Emperor Palpatine and his decent to the dark side, but this time it would be told much like a biopic. Much of the story would be narrated by a much older Palpatine, probably already when he is the emperor, and told to a younger character, perhaps Mara Jade. The main plot would be a young Palpatine on Naboo, as he meets Darth Plagueis and leads eventually to the story we hear in Episode Three. “Unfortunately, he taught his apprentice everything he knew, and then one night, his apprentice killed him in his sleep. It's ironic that he could save others from death, but not himself.” The film would almost literally right where Episode One picks up.
3) Maul Reborn(2019)
(32-10 BBY) “He’s looking for a Rematch”
This one may be one that people might really look forward to. This film follows Darth Maul’s hunt for Obi-Wan after the events of Episode One. Yes, this would include him having those awesome cybernetic legs, but for the most part would ignore the events of the Clone Wars to better give the film a less predictable path and room to explore itself. It would involve him behind the scenes of some huge events spanning Episodes two, three and the years leading up to four. The final battle would be between Maul and Obi-Wan on the Skywalker Farm on Tatooine as a young Luke watches, much like the comic where the idea originated.
4) Boba Fett: Part I (2020)
(22-1 BBY) “The Path of Vengeance Begins…”
This is the big one. This film follows Boba Fett in the years following Episode Two on his path of vengeance as he trains to become a bounty hunter to enact his revenge on Mace Windu. This of course all changes when Windu is killed at the hands of the Emperor. This leaves Fett in a bad (drunken) state until he chooses to become a bounty hunter like his father. From there on, just picture Batman Begins in space! Events in the third act mainly lead up to the central plot in our next film…
5) The Smugglers (2021)
(3-0 BBY) “Their Biggest Adventure Happened Long Before The Rebellion…”
This one focuses on Han, Chewbacca, and Lando in the years before Episode Four. It follows then as the young men getting their operation started and get Han acquiring the Millennium Falcon. The main part of the plot is a chase with Boba Fett trying to hunt them down, picking up where “Boba Fett: Part I” leaves off. It would be a great adventure flick, and it would be something fans have been waiting for a long time. Who knows? Perhaps even after the credits, Han could be sitting in Mos Eisley’s cantina and an old man could sit down in front him and say, “I hear your ship is fast.” Get it?
6) Boba Fett: Part II (2022)
(4 ABY) “It’s Pay Back Time.”
The final film in this series (or at least this part) is about Boba Fett in the years following Episode Six and perhaps before Episode Seven. It would most assuredly begin at the Sarlacc Pit, perhaps just moments after Luke and the gang hightail it out of there, and he would emerge in a great ball of fire from the bowels of the beast. The big theme of this picture is “What now?” His two principle employers, Jabba and the Empire, are dead and gone and he needs to figure out what to do. Does he go after his due pay from the Hutts? Does he want to go after Solo? Is a new adventure waiting? Only time will tell! Either way there’s a lot out there to pull from.
So there it is my thoughts on what a Star Wars Solo Series could look like…
BUT WAIT! Who would be playing these iconic roles? After all, some of the actors who played these rolls before are well past their prime. Well...
Yoda – Frank Oz
If it ain't broke, why fix it? Oz has proven time and time again his ability, if they get the ball rolling soon enough, I don't think anyone would oppose this.
Palpatine – Michael Sheen
This may seem like an odd choice, but remember, this is a younger Palpatine. I really like his acting and think he could show Palpatine's descent to evil very well.
Maul – Tom Hiddleston
Tom FREAKING Hiddleston. I think we all know he could pull off a great Maul on a path of revenge. He could also add great depth and passion to the character. Other than that? I think he just fits the bill perfectly.
Boba Fett – Tom Hardy
or Jensen Ackles
I'm really conflicted with this one. While I do think Hardy would make a great Boba, I just don't think his body type would fit the look of Fett. As for Ackles, I think a big reason I chose him as well was from his work with Red Hood.
Han Solo – Bradley Cooper
or Shia LaBeouf
Before I get burnt at the stake, please understand that it comes from the thought of "who better to play Harrison Ford than his son in Indiana Jones?" Granted we all like to forget Indy 4 BUT I don't Shia was that bad in it and who knows, perhaps working with him in the past could give him a better view point and help him play the character. As for Cooper, I just think this works. I could see him there in the cockpit of the Falcon with that classic smirk as they jump in to hyper-drive.
Lando Calrissian – Terrence Howard
or Cuba Gooding Jr.
I never have seen much of a difference between these two actors except that Cuba is much better at comedy, but on the other hand, Howard might be easier to get.
Chewbacca – Peter Mayhew
What else can I say? He IS Chewie. Of course if for some unfortunate reason he would be unavailable, he could be replaced with another very tall actor, but until that time, it shall always be Mayhew.
So that's it! Place you comments and thoughts below, but please don't be too harsh, this is my first article.